Minority and Veteran Affairs
Linking minority and veteran farmers to assistance and resources
Minority and veteran farmers often face issues related to experience, land access, and funding.
The Minority and Veteran Affairs program aims to provide minority and veteran farmers with the technical assistance needed to make more informed agricultural decisions on their farms, as well as sustain and increase the number of minority farmers in Louisiana.
We seek to create a network of knowledge and information for new and beginner farmers as well as those who have been farming for many years. Bridging the gap of cross-generational knowledge offers the following benefits:
Stimulating the local economy in these communities by the increase in minority farmers participating in farmer’s markets
Helping socially disadvantaged farmers and veterans transition into a sustainable career in agriculture
Creating avenues for small farmers, especially those living in food deserts, to provide food to their families, friends, and communities
Demographics
Louisiana has a total of 8,072 minority owned farms operating on about 865,342 acres.
Women owned farms: 3,457
Black owned farms: 3,109
Spanish, Hispanic, Latino owned farms: 849
American Indian owned farms: 526
Asian owned farms: 131
Louisiana is home to more than 315,342 veterans.
Programs
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The Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) provides cost-share assistance to producers and handlers of agricultural products who are obtaining or renewing their certification under the National Organic Program (NOP).
Certified organic producers or handlers in Louisiana are eligible for a partial reimbursement of organic certification costs on an annual basis. The LDAF reimbursement will be calculated from an amount less than any federal reimbursement as to not duplicate funds. The LDAF payment will be based ONLY on one (1) certification scope.
This rebate will be available to eligible Louisiana organic producers and handlers upon submission of 1) completed LDAF Rebate Application, 2) proof of organic certification, 3) supporting documentation of organic certification costs, and 4) proof of federal reimbursement from the USDA Farm Service Agency.
Eligible producers include any certified producers or handlers who have paid organic certification fees to a USDA-accredited certifying agent during the current program fiscal year and any subsequent program year. Producers can be reimbursed for expenses including application fees, inspection costs, fees related to equivalency agreement and arrangement requirements, travel expenses for inspectors, user fees, sales assessments, and postage.
The OCCSP will reimburse a set percentage amount of a certified operation’s allowable certification costs, up to a maximum of a determined amount that may vary from program year contingent on funding for each of the following categories (or “scopes”):
crops
wild crops
livestock
processing/handling
State organic program fees
Reimbursements will be on a first-come, first-served basis, based on receipt of the completed application packet, until available funding is exhausted.
Resources on becoming Certified Organic
Specialty Crop Grant Programs
Get funding to enhance competitiveness of specialty crops
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Contact info
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